Anthony Weiner admits he sent messages to teenage girl but denies wrongdoing

Holly Bailey

The TicketJune 11, 2011

Embattled Rep. Anthony Weiner acknowledged Friday night that he had exchanged online messages with a 17-year-old Delaware girl, but his office insisted his dealings with her were "neither explicit nor indecent."

Weiner's statement came hours after police in New Castle, Del., confirmed they interviewed a high school junior Friday afternoon about her online exchanges with the New York lawmaker. The police visit was first reported by Fox News.

The girl, whose name was not reported because she is a minor, told the network, "I'm doing okay."

Sources close to the girl told Fox she followed Weiner on Twitter after seeing him speak during a school trip to Washington in April. Weiner subsequently followed her and direct-messaged the girl beginning on April 13. It's unclear what the message was regarding.

Weiner's office told the New York Times he had exchanged five messages with the girl. A member of the girl's family told the Times the messages were "harmless" but expressed concern that Weiner had exchanged private messages with a teenager.

Police said they questioned the girl and found no evidence of wrongdoing.

"They were made aware of an alleged contact between Congressman Anthony Weiner and an area teen," said Officer Tracey Duffy, a New Castle County police spokeswoman, told the Associated Press. "The teen has been interviewed and disclosed no information regarding any criminal activity."

On Monday, Weiner confessed to having risqué online dealings with six women who were not his wife and lying about it. During the press conference, he stressed that he had not physically met any of the women. He also said that none were underage "to the best of my knowledge."